Paris Public Library will again be part of the Wabash Valley Community Read, organized by Vigo County Public Library. This year's book is True Grit, by Charles Portis.

Beginning February 17, the library will have free copies of the book to give to interested readers while supplies last. There will be events related to the book in several libraries in the Wabash Valley area.

At Paris Public Library, the March events begin with our annual Book Sale. The sale will be in the northeast meeting room 10am-4pm on Saturday, March 7. A preview night for Friends of the Paris Library members will be 6pm-7:30pm on Friday, March 6. If you aren't a member, you may join at the door that evening.

The Friends will sponsor a program by Curtis Johnson on Early Gunsmiths of Edgar County (and Central Illinois) at 6pm on Tuesday, March 17. Mr. Johnson is a history enthusiast, amateur gunsmith, and author of the two-volume Gunmakers of Illinois 1683-1900. His talk will include a display of rifles made in Paris and the surrounding area. Copies of his book will be available for purchase and signing.

Local events will conclude with a discussion of True Grit led by Amy Hannig in the Gibson Room on Saturday, March 21, 2pm.

Our new Book Club will meet in the library's Gibson Room at 5pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month beginning in April. For March they decided to read True Grit and join the book discussion already set for Saturday, March 21, at 2pm.

The group has chosen a wide variety of books to read and discuss in the upcoming months. Everyone is welcome. All you have to do is read the book and come to the discussion.

Paris Public Library's supply of paper forms is limited this year. Federal 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ and Illinois IL-1040 form/instructions are on the spinner rack near the main desk. Library staff will print other forms from the Internet at no charge, but we have to charge to print instructions.

Libraries in the IRS Tax Forms Outlet Program were notified that they would receive only 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ forms. The IRS did not ship instruction booklets to libraries.

Spring storyhours will begin March 4 and continue through April 22. There will be a break coinciding with the school spring break.

Storyhour is a weekly program of stories, songs, and simple crafts for children ages 3, 4, and 5. It meets on Wednesday mornings, 10:30-11:15.

If your child attended the Fall storyhour sessions, he or she is already registered for the spring sessions. If your child didn't attend the fall storyhours, please call 463-3950 to sign up before March 4.